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A bad four weeks for the Western Australian Cricket Association just got worse, with the sudden departure of the ground's curator. That's on top of the decision by Cricket Australia to overlook Perth to host a test match next summer. There are now concerns about the pitch's quality for December's test against England.

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PETER LLOYD: A bad four weeks for the Western Australian Cricket Association just got worse, with the sudden departure of the ground's curator.

That's on top of the decision by Cricket Australia to overlook Perth to host a test match next summer.

There are now concerns about the pitch's quality for December's test match against England.

From Perth, Caitlyn Gribbin.

(Extract from cricket match)

CRICKET COMMENTATOR: He's bowling to Adams, with him now. And Adams' gets a short one, he pumps it up. And he's caught it, short leg! And McGrath has his first test hat trick!

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: The WACA's East Perth ground is famous for its fast and bouncy pitch and thrillers like Glen McGrath's first test hat trick in December, 2000.

But news of the sudden departure of the ground's curator has cricketers worried.

BRAD HOGG: It's just having that curator that's got the experience to be able to produce a quality test wicket, that's all in the back of mind of players and coaches.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: That's former Australian spin bowler and Perth local Brad Hogg.

The WACA wouldn't provide a spokesperson to be interviewed.

But it confirmed curator Cam Sutherland is no longer an employee, and says because it's an internal staff matter, they won't be commenting any further.

It's been a big four weeks for the WACA.

Last month, Cricket Australia announced Perth wouldn't host a test match next summer, the first time that's happened in nearly 40 years.

Brad Hogg again.

BRAD HOGG: Yeah, it's one of those things. And they're the challenges of any sport is to be able to cope with situations that arise quickly.

Cam Sutherland has done a fantastic job, he's left, and what that does is create an opportunity for someone else, you know life goes on.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: What confidence can Australian cricketers and their supporters have in the WACA and the ground and the administration after what's been an eventful month for the club?

BRAD HOGG: Look I think Christina Matthews is doing a fantastic job at the helm and she's a tough woman. I've got full confidence in her, and what she's done over the last years have been simply amazing. There's a bright future for WA cricket in the next three or four years.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: There are also concerns about the quality of the pitch in the lead-up to the WACA hosting the third test against England in December.

Jesse Hogan is a cricket writer for Fairfax.

JESSE HOGAN: I think they'd be pretty concerned really, Perth's one pitch where Australia's advantage, you know we should be really hitting home. You know there's a lot of bounce, should be an area where Australia had dominance. And the last time England was out here in the Ashes, the only test Australia won was out at Perth. So I think the Australians would be very keen to see that tactical advantage keep going. And anything that sort of gets in the way of that I'm sure will be very concerning not just to the players but also to the Cricket Australia hierarchy.

If you had a situation that you have an under prepared pitch and England happens to win the toss and send Australia in first, it would be good to bat first on a really lively pitch like that. So I think there will be a bit of concern.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: How closely will the WACA pitch be watched now in the lead up to the December test?

JESSE HOGAN: Oh particularly so, like something it'll be even noticed over in England, probably because this was the pitch last time where Australia managed to get a victory and had Mitchell Johnston bowling like an absolute magician over there. This is probably the pitch they're most concerned about over here in Australia, and having a curator depart so soon, I'm pretty sure that will buoy the English, if not the English team, then certainly the English press.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: There's also been internal bickering within the WACA management.

In August, chair David Williams resigned and his replacement, George Jones, also walked away.

There's also a cloud over president Dennis Lillee's future.

But Brad Hogg is confident the WACA will maintain its reputation as a challenging wicket.

BRAD HOGG: It really sorts the men out from boys. And if we look at Sachin Tendulkar, I think it was his second test match in Australia or third test match in Australia, he made 100 at the WACA. And for an Indian to make 100 at the WACA is a huge challenge, and that just shows how great Sachin Tendulkar was.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: That may be the case but it appears the WACA may have lost its fearsome reputation, not just from players around the globe but also within Cricket Australia.